Jonathan “Cuba” Sanchez I used to see Lionel Messi with Barcelona when he dreamed of being a striker at the beginning of his football career without knowing that a few years later the preparation, and a coach from América, would change the position of goal scorer for that of central defensewhere he made his debut in the MX League and position in which he was Champion in the Expansion League.
Cuba Sánchez became booster of cougars for Clausura 2023 after a long pilgrimage in the Expansion League, mainly with Atlante; after emerging from the basic forces of America, they spent almost 10 years to return to First divisionbut he is ready to defend the colors of Pumas and be Champion.
“When I get to Club AmericaI arrived as a striker, but immediately They said we are going to make you a central defenseand I changed the chip, I watched videos, I saw several options and it became easier for me,” said Cuba Sánchez for halftime.
The current auriazul reinforcement became a defense due to Vincio Bravo, former player and coach in basic forces of the Eagles. “saw Much to Messi, but not. already when they made me defending central my idol was puyol”, Sánchez told the television TDN in an interview conducted in 2013.
As part of the basic forces of the America Sub-17Cuba Sánchez achieved five goals in the two tournaments played in 2011. It was all his contribution as a striker before he switched to defense, a position he has held for the past 9 years.
He debuted against Tijuana and is shaping up to play in CU
In this Clausura 2023, the cuba sanchez I know premiere with the Pumas shirt in the game against Tijuana due to an injury to captain Nicolás Freire. Cuba saved its goal a couple of times and now is shaping up to play in CU.
With Freire out for 15 days, coach Rafa Puente will be able to give the lanky central defender a chance would have minutes against Atlas at the University Olympic Stadium.
Play in Pumas with an eye on the title
What does it mean to play for Pumas?
“The truth is a great opportunityI am happy to arrive at this great institution and nothing, I want contribute and I want to give the fans a title”.
Who has been the technician who has taught you the most?
“mario garcia He has taught me a lot in starts, in style of play and how to play easy”.
Why do they call Jonathan Sánchez Cuba?
Jonathan Sánchez arrives at Pumas not only with the label of Expansion League champion but with a Nickname that they put on him from bluecream basic forces and that it has become part of his personality: the Cuba.
According to the explanation given by the 28-year-old soccer player born in San Luis Potosí, this nickname was given to him by his teammates in basic forces because he looked Cuban. His classmates thought he was a foreigner because of his height (1.83 m) and skin tone.
“When I first came to the club, to the basic forces, They called me that because of my height, my skin color, my voice. A friend began to tell me that he was Cuban. I told him that it wasn’t true, ‘seriously, I’ll show you my birth certificate or my passport,’” he told TDN (today TUDN).
First Division experience
Jonathan Sanchez He came to America at the age of 16 and at 19 he was promoted to the first team to train alongside players like Francisco “Maza” Rodríguez and Adrián Aldrete, with whom he has met again at Pumas. debuted on the mx cup on February 13 2013 before Necaxa and in First division on October 26, 2013, at the Azteca Stadium against Puebla. There were only two games in the Maximum Circuit. Cuba played 180 minutes against Puebla and Tigres, until returning in 2023 hungry for championships.